Darwin Nunez leaves referees split with 'totally wrong' Liverpool moment
Former Premier League referees appear to be divided over a key incident in Liverpool’s win over Sheffield United.
The Reds maintained their pressure on league leaders Arsenal with their 2-0 victory in Yorkshire. Captain Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring in the first half after meeting Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner and Dominik Szoboszlai ensured that Jurgen Klopp’s side took three points back to Merseyside with a calm finish in added time.
The build-up to Liverpool’s decisive second goal proved to anger Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder, though. Darwin Nunez won the ball back with a sliding challenge on defender Jayden Bogle before his inch-perfect pass found Szoboszlai in space. The incident was reviewed and the goal was allowed to stand, much to the disbelief of ex-ref Keith Hackett, who criticised officials Simon Hooper and Michael Oliver.
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Responding to the incident, Hackett wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “I am bemused that Ref Hooper and VAR Oliver judged that this was not a foul. Totally wrong in law.”
When asked if Hooper was the same referee who had prompted controversy at the weekend for his decision to not play advantage in the final moments of Manchester City’s draw with Tottenham Hotspur, Hackett added: “It is the same referee and these are mistakes through a lack of accurate judgement.”
However, former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher took a wholly different view and praised the refereeing team. Reviewing Nunez’s challenge during Ref Watch for Sky Sports, he argued that the forward had already won possession back for
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